JAKARTA - Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao officially returned to the boxing ring after completing a weight weighing session with Mario Barrios before the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, United States.
"First of all, I'm very happy that I'm back. I'm back because boxing is my passion. I miss boxing," said Manny Pacquiao at a weight balance event monitored via the FightHype YouTube channel.
Considered one of the greatest boxers of his generation, Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win 12 world titles in eight different divisions.
In 2021, Pacquiao retired from boxing after a professional career of 26 years. After retiring, the athlete nicknamed "Pacman" still participated in several exhibition fights to stay active.
He ended his four-year retirement when he faced Mario Barrios for a welterweight (66.7 kg) World Boxing Council (WBC) title. And now the fight is official, because both of them managed to weigh weight.
Although Pacquiao started his career in the flying class (50.8 kg), he spent his last decade playing in a welterweight and had no problems with weight. The weight-weighting results show Pacquiao reaches 66.5 kg, while Barrios comes with a weight of 66.3 kg.
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After the weight-weighting event, Pacquiao spoke to the audience about why he chose to return at the age of 46.
He expressed his gratitude to the Almighty for his good strength, safety and health, which he enjoyed so far. "That's why Manny Pacquiao is still here," he said.
He added, after four years of retirement, he really missed boxing. He had rested his body for four years and is now back full of enthusiasm.
"I'm very hungry to win again, and give the fans a good fight," he said.
Pacquiao understands that fans are waiting for a good fight and Barrios has also worked hard, so he believes a good fight will be presented on Sunday, July 20, western Indonesia time.
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